Delhi 2 Dublin

Delhi 2 Dublin was a happy accident born out of Vancouver’s Celtic Fest in 2006. Their sound started as an electronic fusion between bhangra beats and Celtic fiddle and has since grown into anything from dub reggae to breakbeats to just straight up happy dance music. File under… best.

Founded by Tarun Nayar (of Beats Without Borders cred), Sanjay Seran (at the time hailing from live bhangra act Signia), and Ravi Binning (a professionally trained bhangra dancer and dhol player), it was obvious D2D had something people wanted. Word spread about their ridiculously energetic live show, and these road-warriors have been touring constantly since: mesmerizing crowds at many of the top festivals across Canada and the US, blowing people away in the UK, Australia, Germany and Malaysia as well as performing to awe-filled audiences in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Dubai.

The band’s new release of “We’re All Desi” looks to be their strongest album yet. Eschewing the sterility of writing songs in the studio, and embracing the musicianship of new members James Wallace (guitar) and Serena Eades (fiddle), the band has based their new material entirely on jam sessions in their rehearsal space.

Heavily influenced by their favourite Bollywood records from the 70s, their love for funk music, and produced by Nick Middleton (of The Funk Hunters), the results combine the high energy of their signature live shows with a newfound studio polish. Described by one magazine as the “United Nations of rock ‘n’ roll”, the last 9 years of incessant touring have seen Delhi 2 Dublin become one of Canada’s most buzzed-about bands – and this was not just a happy accident.